Some Utah ski resorts have new parking policies, don’t get fined

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation is reminding those who visit Utah’s ski resorts to follow parking restrictions. And in some cases, there are new restrictions this year.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, UDOT outlined a revised parking ordinance along with parking information for ski resorts. 

The revised parking ordinance for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons went into effect on Nov. 1. According to UDOT, the revision does not expand “no parking areas,” but fines will range from $75 to $150, and parking violations are now considered a civil penalty. 

👋 #SR190 #SR210 travelers!
We’re here with a roundup of resort parking policies & roadside parking restrictions to help you save some $$ & keep the canyons running as safely & efficiently.

Please help us out & park to the right of the white line, it’s safer & better for all. pic.twitter.com/sp3guez6Uy

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) November 29, 2023

Parking at ski resorts 

As for the ski resorts, parking requirements vary. 

Alta Ski Area and the town of Alta

Friday through Sunday, paid parking reservations are required from 8:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. This includes holidays and closing weekends. 

For early-morning skiers, 6:00 a.m. parking reservations are required daily. Early parking reservations are available starting Dec. 15, and the reservation lasts until 8:00 a.m. 

If you choose to park without a reservation, you will receive a $75 fine. 

Brighton 

Starting Dec. 1  parking reservations are required through April 2024. UDOT posted on X that Brighton requires reservations for all vehicles until 1:00 p.m. And after 1:00 p.m., parking is free. 

If you are traveling in a vehicle with three or more occupants, or have a pass to the resort, you can park for free before 1:00 p.m. But you still need a reservation. 

Want to roll the dice and park without a reservation? Be prepared to receive a $75 violation fee. 

Solitude

From 12:01 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., paid parking is in effect. After 1:00 p.m., all parking is free, even during the holidays. 

Reservations are required from Dec. 15 to April 14, Friday through Sunday and during holiday periods. 

According to UDOT, vehicles with four or more occupants can park for free regardless of the time or holiday, but reservations are still required. 

The Solitude parking lot opens at 7 a.m. 

Snowbird 

As for Snowbird, it’s not required to have a reservation but they are available for certain lots. The majority of parking is first-come, first-serve. 

That said, if parking is full, and conditions permit, UDOT says skiers can park along the side of SR-21 between Entry 1 and 4. 

For more information on parking, check out the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons webpage. 

Related reading: Solitude and Brighton ski resorts announce parking reservation systems